Food Response Training for Obesity

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Melanie Jay, MD, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: NYU Langone Health

Must not be taking: Immunosuppressants, Steroids, Weight loss, others

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Bariatric surgery, Institutionalized, others

Stay on Your Current Meds You can continue your current medications while participating

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new approach called Food Response Training (FRT) to help people with obesity manage their weight. The goal is to determine if this method is practical and effective for patients at NYU Langone Health. Researchers will monitor participants' progress over three months, and some will provide saliva samples for genetic analysis. Ideal candidates have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and can use a computer or smartphone. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new weight management strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking medications that affect your diet or weight, like immunosuppressants, steroids, weight loss drugs, or certain psychiatric medications, you may not be eligible for the trial. The protocol does not specify if you need to stop other medications.

What prior data suggests that this food response training is safe for patients with obesity?

Research shows that specific safety information for Food Response Training (FRT) is not available. However, similar methods, such as food-specific inhibition training, have been found to help change eating habits. FRT is a non-invasive method that focuses on changing behavior and is generally considered low-risk. Similar studies have reported no serious side effects. Although direct safety data for FRT is lacking, the nature of the treatment suggests it is likely well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Food Response Training (FRT) for obesity because it offers a fresh approach compared to traditional treatments like diet, exercise, and medication. Unlike these standard options, FRT focuses on retraining the brain's response to food cues, aiming to alter eating behaviors at a cognitive level. This method could lead to more sustainable weight management by addressing the psychological triggers of overeating. By potentially changing how patients perceive and react to food, FRT aims to provide a long-term solution that goes beyond temporary weight loss.

What evidence suggests that Food Response Training might be an effective treatment for obesity?

Research has shown that Food Response Training (FRT) produces mixed results in treating obesity. Some studies found that FRT, especially when combined with attention training, helps people lose weight by making high-calorie foods less tempting. However, other research did not find a significant reduction in body fat from FRT alone. The idea is that FRT might change how the brain responds to food, helping people manage their eating habits better. Overall, while FRT seems promising, more evidence is needed to confirm its effectiveness for obesity. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Melanie Jay, MD, MS

Principal Investigator

NYU Langone Health

Sandra Wittleder, PhD

Principal Investigator

NYU Langone Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This study is for adults aged 18-80 with obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2) who have access to a computer or iPhone/iPad, including those willing to use a loaner smartphone from the study. It's not for individuals who've had bariatric surgery in the last 2 years, are on certain medications, pregnant or planning pregnancy soon, enrolled in other dietary interventions, had significant weight changes recently, can't engage with English software due to impairments or language barriers.

Inclusion Criteria

You have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

Access to a computer or an iPhone/iPad or be willing to use a study loaner smart phone

You are willing to use a study loaner smart phone or a computer.

Exclusion Criteria

You have had weight loss surgery in the last 2 years.

You are taking medications that can affect your appetite, weight, or mental health, except for medications for anxiety or depression.

Pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months, or who become pregnant during the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Baseline measurements and saliva sample collection for genetic analysis for a subgroup

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Food Response Training (FRT)

Participants undergo food response training to reduce unhealthy dietary intake and promote weight loss

12 weeks

Regular sessions (frequency not specified)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Food Response Training (FRT)

Trial Overview The trial tests Food Response Training (FRT) as a method to promote healthy eating habits among obese patients at NYU Langone Health. Participants will be monitored over three months and some will provide saliva samples for genetic analysis related to eating behaviors.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Patients with Obesity Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

NYU Langone Health patients ≥18 to 80 years of age with a BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

NYU Langone Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,431

Recruited

838,000+

American Heart Association

Collaborator

Trials

352

Recruited

6,196,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 84 families with children aged 8-12 years who are obese, adding appetite awareness training (AAT) to standard family-based behavioral treatment (FBT) resulted in significantly lower weights for children in the FBT-AAT group at both one and two years post-treatment.

While both treatment groups showed no significant differences immediately after treatment, the FBT-AAT group continued to improve in weight management over the second year, suggesting that AAT may help maintain treatment effects longer than standard FBT alone.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Incorporating Appetite Awareness Training Within Family-Based Behavioral Treatment of Pediatric Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Njardvik, U., Gunnarsdottir, T., Olafsdottir, AS., et al.[2019]

The study involved 59 overweight children and adolescents aged 8-16 years, and it demonstrated that approach-avoidance training (AAT) significantly improved children's tendencies to reject unhealthy snack items and approach healthier vegetable options, indicating a potential method for modifying eating behaviors.

While both implicit and explicit training approaches were tested, the results showed no significant differences between them, suggesting that AAT can effectively influence automatic food-related behaviors in children regardless of the training method used.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Battle of plates: a pilot study of an approach-avoidance training for overweight children and adolescents. Warschburger, P., Gmeiner, M., Morawietz, M., et al.[2023]

In a study of 83 predominantly overweight or obese adults, online response inhibition training targeting high-energy density foods led to significant weight loss and reduced daily energy intake compared to a control group.

Participants who underwent the active training not only lost weight but also reported a decreased liking for high-energy foods, indicating that this intervention could be an effective strategy for reducing food consumption and improving public health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training response inhibition to food is associated with weight loss and reduced energy intake. Lawrence, NS., O'Sullivan, J., Parslow, D., et al.[2022]

Cognitive training that balances response inhibition between food and non-food stimuli can lead to reduced snack consumption and lower food-related anxiety among female restrained eaters, as shown in a study with 64 participants.

The training that included both food and non-food stimuli improved positive implicit attitudes toward food, suggesting that this approach helps manage eating behaviors without negatively impacting how participants feel about food.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Influence of Response Inhibition Training on Food Consumption and Implicit Attitudes toward Food among Female Restrained Eaters. Weinbach, N., Keha, E., Leib, H., et al.[2021]

A randomized controlled trial with 179 adults showed that a training protocol aimed at reducing responses to high-calorie foods increased the appeal of low-calorie foods, but did not lead to body fat loss or reduced responses to high-calorie foods.

The study suggests that the lack of expected outcomes may be due to weaker learning effects compared to previous trials, possibly because of the use of a more diverse range of food images in the training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of a food response and attention training treatment for obesity: A randomized placebo controlled trial. Stice, E., Yokum, S., Gau, J., et al.[2023]

Participants in the hunger training (HT) program reported successfully learning to align their eating habits with their glucose levels, indicating the intervention's potential effectiveness for weight management.

Barriers to adherence included social pressures and rigid meal schedules, while having a routine and social support were key factors that helped participants stick to the program, highlighting areas for improvement in future implementations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'Am I really hungry?' A qualitative exploration of patients' experience, adherence and behaviour change during hunger training: a pilot study. de Bruin, WE., Ward, AL., Taylor, RW., et al.[2020]

Brain imaging studies indicate that certain neural vulnerability factors can predict excessive weight gain, highlighting the importance of understanding brain responses to food cues in obesity.

Cognitive training interventions that reduce brain responses to high-calorie food cues and enhance inhibitory control may lead to effective weight loss, suggesting a need for further research on intensive training methods to improve existing weight loss strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training motor responses to food: A novel treatment for obesity targeting implicit processes. Stice, E., Lawrence, NS., Kemps, E., et al.[2019]

A smartphone-based response inhibition training intervention led to significant reductions in both explicit liking and implicit wanting for energy-dense foods among 84 adults over a two-week period, indicating a decrease in reward-related appetite.

However, the response inhibition training did not provide additional benefits compared to a control game, suggesting that while the training may reduce cravings and hedonic eating drive, it may not be more effective than other activities in modifying eating behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can smartphone-based response inhibition training elicit sustained changes in appetite, preference, and cravings for energy-dense foods? A free-living randomized controlled trial. Moore, H., White, MJ., Finlayson, G., et al.[2023]

The iROC (Intervention for Regulation of Cues) program aims to reduce overeating in overweight children by using learning theory to modify their responses to food cues, addressing a significant issue as traditional weight-loss treatments only work long-term for about one-third of children.

The study will rigorously test the effectiveness of extinction processes by exposing children to their favorite foods to help them learn to control their cravings, potentially leading to more sustainable weight loss or prevention of weight gain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design and implementation of a study evaluating extinction processes to food cues in obese children: the Intervention for Regulations of Cues Trial (iROC). Boutelle, KN., Liang, J., Knatz, S., et al.[2018]

A randomized controlled trial involving 45 overweight adult females tested an 8-session food cue exposure therapy aimed at reducing appetitive responses to food cues, showing promise for treating overeating and obesity.

The study focused on key outcomes such as weight loss and changes in eating behavior, indicating that this innovative approach could provide effective clinical recommendations for managing obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing inhibitory learning to reduce overeating: Design and rationale of a cue exposure therapy trial in overweight and obese women. van den Akker, K., Schyns, G., Jansen, A.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10392892/

Efficacy of a Food Response and Attention Training ... A third trial found that adding this food response and attention training to a dissonance-based obesity prevention program resulted in significantly greater ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796722001541

Efficacy of a food response and attention training treatment ... Food response/attention training did not reduce body fat in this trial. Abstract. Elevated brain reward and attention region response, and weaker inhibitory ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9937565/

Efficacy of a combined food-response inhibition and ... Results suggest that food-response inhibition and attention training can devalue high-calorie foods and result in weight loss.

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/food-response-training-for-obesity-02493

Food Response Training for Obesity · Info for Participants The aim of this mixed methods, single-group, single-center study will be to examine the feasibility of a food response training (FRT).

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352154622000742

Efficacy of a combined food-response inhibition and ... Two randomized controlled trials suggest that food-response inhibition and attention training produced significant body-fat loss.

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/7/1363

Food-Specific Inhibition Training for Food Devaluation The results indicate that food-specific inhibition training can lead to statistically significant reductions in food evaluation.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5656010/

Pilot Test of a Novel Food Response and Attention Training ... Obese participants who completed attention training for an array of low-calorie foods showed a reduction in attentional bias for high-calorie food images used ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/365298745_The_'Go's_and_the_'No-Go's_of_response-inhibition_training_to_food_lessons_learned_from_trials

The 'Go's and the 'No-Go's of response-inhibition training to ... Pilot test of a novel food response and attention training treatment for obesity: Brain imaging data suggest actions shape valuation. Article.

9. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1523131/full

Effectiveness of a Food Education Program for healthcare ... They were mainly nurses (56.9%). 54.9% were obese and 43.1% overweight. The success rate was 32.1%; the reduction in BMI was more evident in the ...